I was excited to hear that Detention is a finalist in the QLD Literary Awards. The Griffith University Children’s Book Award is an annual prize of $15,000 to celebrate a work of fiction for young people. I have never been a finalist in this award before and I’m so glad that Detention has made the list. My twelve years of school visits to the Gold Coast and Brisbane made a huge impact on the writing of this book. From listening to interactions between staff and students, hearing feedback on the story from groups that I’ve spoken to, seeing some extraordinary literacy teachers in…